Admission: Admission is free for Linden Place and BHPS members and $5 for non-members.

Over thirty thousand slaves were brought to the shores of colonial America on ships owned and captained by James DeWolf. When the United States took action to abolish slave trading, this Bristol native manipulated the legal system and became actively involved in RI politics in order to pursue his trading ventures.

Author and historian Cynthia Mestad Johnston has uncovered the secrets of James DeWolf and the unsettling and often overlooked story of corruption and exploitation in 19th century Rhode Island. Johnson will present her research, which led to the recent publication of her book “James DeWolf and the Rhode Island Slave Trade" in the Linden Place ballroom. The talk will be followed by a book signing.